Job Title:
Product Manager, Americas & Middle East
Job Location:
Midwest
Relocation:
Yes
Position Level:
Manager
Position Report To:
Director, Product Development & Operations
Position Responsibilities:
Create and Manage Products to Achieve Sales and Margin Goals
- Lead product research, design, development and pricing activities to ensure appropriate product quality, positioning, and profitability
- Review utilizationweekly and react quickly if additional inventory is required.
- Develop vendor relationships through communication, site visits and product immersion trips
- Negotiate and finalize favorable contracts with Destination Management Companies (DMCs) and vendors, including itemized costs
- Perform ongoing competitive monitoring, raise issues and recommendations to improve products
- Obtain additional inventory to meet regional goals
- Ensure established product guidelines and standards are met and continue to improve upon guests’ experiences
- Partner with internal sales trainers to develop and deliver destination knowledge to help increase revenue and sales
- Propose/advise on new product recommendations and opportunities, utilizing partnerships, DMC and tourism office information and destination development
- Offer input and opportunity-based recommendations to drive competitive advantage and guest experience enhancements
- Ensure products operate within set budgets
Maintain Timely and Accurate Deliverables in Accordance with Product Calendar
- Confirm all product components, required inventory, and supplier/vendor arrangements within established timeframe
- Deliver all creative materials in accordance with established “handover” and proofing timelines
- Deliver all product costs in accordance with established pricing timeline, and be prepared to justify related cost rationale including competitive positioning
- Complete all internal product data files for all products
- Train and advise all sales staff including Travel Consultants and Sales Directors
- Ensure timely delivery of pricing/product information to the Sales and Marketing teams for related marketplace activities
Ensure Product Quality and Guest Feedback Meet or Exceed Company Goals
- Ensure DMCs, suppliers/vendors understand and fulfill all necessary product requirements and arrangements per company product standards
- Educate staff and vendors on company product/quality standards
- Travel as necessary to inspect product inclusions, meet with suppliers/vendors, etc, to ensure product quality and delivery standards
- Proof all product and marketing related information to ensure products are accurately and appropriately positioned
- Review Guest Questionnaires, identify issues and develop action plans to address
Manage Product Team
- Manage, mentor and lead Product Specialist and Tailor Made Product Specialist
- Lead by example
- Ensure team’s deliverables and deadlines are met
- Attend weekly Product Team Meetings to review & respond to sales, quality and marketing issues
Percent Travel:
20
Direct Reports:
Yes
Experience Required:
- Bachelor’s Degree in a business discipline required and/or equivalent related industry experience
- 6-8 years of industry experience
- Proven experience in product management in the travel and/or hospitality industries
- Proven experience in product development, tour construction, operations, costing
- Budgeting, P&L analysis, contract negotiation and management
- Verbal and written communication, problem-solving, workload management
- Demonstrated flexibility, initiative, and a collaborative perspective
- Strong knowledge of world geography
- Adaptable to new challenges and champions change
- Team player
- Competent in the use of Microsoft Office applications including Word and Power Point
Education Required:
BS/BA
Other Remarks: